...------------------------------------------------- Mexican-American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo The Mexican-American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe HidalgoSo far from God, so close to the United States – Old Mexican SayingOn September 14, 1847 the Mexican flag was not flying over the Mexican capital. Instead, Mexico’s neighbor to the north had captured the country. How and why did the United States defeat Mexico in the Mexican-American War? To the victors went what spoils? This essay will answer these questions in a nutshell.Throughout the 19th Century, the United States was increasing in power and population while Mexico was stuck in chronic “political unrest, civil conflicts, depleted treasuries, [and] separatist movements” (Oscar J. Martinez, Troublesome Border [Tucson: the University of Arizona Press, 1988], 51). The U.S. was also heavily influenced by Manifest Destiny—the idea that the U.S. had the natural right to rule North America from coast to coast. Consequently, various presidential administrations in the 1820s and 30s sought to purchase land from Mexico, with no avail.In 1835, Texas battled and gained independence from Mexico; Texas was a sovereign country for the next decade (the Lone Star Republic). In the Treaty of Velasco, the Texas-Mexico border was established along the Rio Grande. Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (pronounced “Santana”) signed the treaty but the problem lied in the fact that the Mexican Congress did not ratify it, nor did Mexican presidents after Santa...
Words: 716 - Pages: 3
...THE MEXICAN - AMERICAN WAR 1846-1848 BY: Clarence Pino One of the most interesting movements in history. The Mexican- American provided the United States of America not only with 500,000 plus square miles of land. But impact of our country playing a very important role of shaping it to the most successful economic country today. The Mexican- American War was interesting to me because of all the moving pieces. In Mexico you had the Federalist going against the Consecutives. The whole time this was going on you had the Abolitionist opposing the war, thinking that America wanted Mexico just to add more slave states. At this time the term “MANIFEST DESTINY” was coined . In August 1843 Santa Anna threaten war with America if they were to incorporate Texas into the Union. Herrera (new president of Mexico) didn’t take this stance. With the encouragement from Great Britain President Herrera decided to resolve the issue of Texas with diplomacy rather than war. President Herrera then told America to send an ambassador to negotiate the Settlement of the Texas boundary. America sent Ambassador Slidell to negotiate for Texas, but his intensions involved more than just the State of Texas. When Ambassador Slidell went into Mexico he had every intention to buy California and New Mexico from Mexico. United States made an offer of 25 million dollars for The Rio Grande border in Texas and another...
Words: 2102 - Pages: 9
...between US and Mexican waters by a drug cartel, Just after this incident a Mexican investigator who was searching for this man’s body was found beheaded and was delivered to the Mexican military in a suitcase. These are just a few of the known violent acts carried out by drug cartels recently. The Mexican drug war has been going on since 2006 but recently has been given more publicity. What is the history behind the drug war, the drug cartels, and what is the US is doing to protect its citizens from this war. It is important as Americans that we understand what is taking place so close to home and that can one day affect us directly. According to Lee and History Guy Media the Mexican Drug War is an armed conflict between drug cartels and the Mexican Government. A drug cartel is defined as an illicit cartel formed to control the production and distribution of narcotic drugs. The mexican govt has attempted to crack down on different drug organizations by arresting leaders in the drug trade. In the CRS report for congress it states that Mexico is one of the highest producers and smugglers of cocaine, marijuana, and heroine due to its location geographically. Annually they make between 13 to 48 billion dollars from the US drug market. Violence is increasing as years go by with 8,500 lives taken this year alone which brings the total to nearly 30,000 lives since the beginning of the war. There are many known drug cartels in Mexico today. According to the Mexican Government there...
Words: 617 - Pages: 3
...The Mexican-American War Samuel Lebron HIST/110CA June 18, 2015 Dr. J. Randall III Introduction The Mexican-American war according to many has a lot of controversy behind it. Many believe that the war was really initiated and provoked by the United States, and President at the time, James K. Polk. Polk envisioned a much larger America (territory) that would one day reach from the east all the way to the west (Pacific Ocean). Amid the controversy of whether it was Mexico or the United States that started this conflict, one thing is for certain, the end result of this war would help shape the U.S. in more than one ways than one. It is believed by many that newspaper editor John O’ Sullivan came up with the term Manifest Destiny, which really was a time when American families started looking west in search of new lands and opportunity, and while many were motivated by religious beliefs and the movement of the second awakening, thinking they could reach the natives and convert them to Christianity, others were simply motivated by the economic potential (e.g. fur trade) the west had. Unfortunately many Americans, mostly from the south also sought new lands but for the wrong reasons, reasons such as acquiring more lands for the expansion of cotton cultivation, thus also spreading more slavery. One of the main events that lead to the war was the dispute of boundaries between Mexico and the United States and the union of Texas with the U.S. Mexico did not...
Words: 1022 - Pages: 5
...heavily by poverty. Miguel: Quickly come in before anyone notices, we don’t need another politician’s blood on the hands of the drug war. Enrique: These meetings are getting more and more dangerous every month. Especially with fear and violence heightened because of Donald Trump’s recent success in the presidential election. Miguel:...
Words: 1094 - Pages: 5
...2009 Mexican American War “ As war exist, and, notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico herself, we are called upon by every consideration of duty and patriotism to vindicate with decision the honor, the rights, and the interest of our country.” - Special message of President James Polk asking Congress to declare war with Mexico on May 11, 1846.( Carey 26) Mexico was furious when Texas became part of the United States in 1845. A formal complaint was made by a Mexican ambassador to Washington, D.C. and returned to Mexico city. In turn, the American ambassador withdrew from Mexico. The two nations poised for war.( ---) Trying to avoid any conflict, the United States tried to obtain the territory that now makes up California and New Mexico peacefully. President James Polk sent an envoy to Mexico City of $30 million or more to buy the territory for California and New Mexico. Mexico refused to consider the offer. (-----) By May of 1846, many people in the United States wanted to declare war on Mexico and grab as much territory, but the U.S. Secretaries of state and of war argued that it would be illegal. (-----) They insisted that they would not allow the country to go to war unless Mexico attacked first. (-----) At just that time, President James Polk had already ordered General Zachary Taylor to lead a detachment of American troops into western Texas, between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, to patrol the boarder.(-----) The Mexican commander...
Words: 1215 - Pages: 5
...Most people assume the drug war in Mexico should not be called a war at all, but through the first 11 months of 2008 the Mexican war has “about 1,000 more [deaths] than the number of U.S. military personnel [killed] in Iraq” (“Is Mexico’s” 3) in that same time period. You have to wonder why more isn’t done for this reoccurring violence and illegal activity. The Mexican drug war masked by powerful gang leaders called cartels and hidden by intimidated citizens will continue for many years unless both the United States and Mexico join together further more to stop this ongoing problem that has cost thousands of lives. The cartels using various forms of illegal money making techniques to attain their powerful state has received minimal defiance until recently by U.S. and Mexican governments. The cartels use highly illegal techniques to obtain power. These techniques originated because of the chance at 8-23 billion dollars estimated for anyone to obtain (“Is Mexico’s” 4). Topping the list to acquire money are illegal drugs which are the most “widely recognized source of criminal power in Mexico” stealing cars, kidnapping, smuggling Mexicans into United States, and protection rackets also increase their profit (Walters 2). This profit is made from drugs shipped to the U.S., and sold there because of the high demand. At the peak of these drugs is marijuana which it is the “single largest source of drug profits for cartels”. They can easily ship their marijuana to marijuana legal...
Words: 1635 - Pages: 7
...Tania Trevino English 1302 Johanna Hunt Nov 1, 2011 Mexican Drug War In 2006 Mexico’s current president Felipe Calderon declared war against drug cartels, since that day Mexico has not been the same. This declaration created a storm of violence throughout the country, and has left Mexican people hopeless and desperate to find a solution to this problem. Mexico has become a vulnerable country that fear drug cartels, and that lives surrounded by violence. It is essential to comprehend how this situation started, what effects it has had on Mexican society and what actions is the Mexican government taking to overcome this problem. It’s no surprise to say that the drug cartels have been around for many years, there has always been a great demand for drugs and Mexico following the Colombian steps has been up to date with selling drugs and transporting them to other countries. Its’ location has been very convenient and has created a connection between the southern countries and the Unites States. Everything started to deteriorate when Mexico’s president decided to declare war against them, the many arrests and deaths of cartel leaders lead to bloody conflicts between the Mexican Federal Police and the drug cartels. There are several main cartels that domain the country these are separated into alliances that are composed of two groups: The first group is formed by Juarez cartel, Tijuana cartel, Beltran-Leyva cartel and the Zetas, the second group is composed by Gulf cartel...
Words: 1022 - Pages: 5
...Kendall Beddell Per.4 2/28/13 English 12 CP Mexico’s Long Drug War! The Mexican drug war has been an ongoing problem for citizens all throughout Mexico. Violence along the border has risen dramatically towards military and civilian’s deaths rates are sky rocketing. Although Mexico has been a producer and transit route for illegal drugs for generations, the country now finds itself in a pitched battle with powerful and well-financed cartels. The Mexican drug war has largely been defined by violence along the border is intensifying in interior and southern areas of the carnage, broadening to analysts and new government data. Mexico has been fighting a long war against drugs .Street gangs with cartel ties are not only in Los Angeles and Dallas, but also in many smaller cities across the united and much farther north of the Mexican border. Mexican cartels had a presence in 230 cities in the United States in 2008, according to the U.S. justice department. Its 2011 report shows that presence has grown to more than 1,000 U.S. cities. While the violence has remained mostly in Mexico, authorities in Arizona, Georgia, Texas, Alabama and other states have report investigated abductions and killings suspected to be tied to cartel. Mexican drug cartels operating in cities in the U.S. are buying up legitimate businesses to launder money. “The Tijuana-based Felix drug cartel and the Juarez-based Fuentes cartel began buying legitimate business in small towns in Los Angeles County...
Words: 497 - Pages: 2
...The Mexican drug war is a threat to the United States. Mexican cartels are warring with one another for dominance over smuggling routes along the border. Bordering states are facing a ominous threat of being caught the cross hair of drug violence. Neither the United States nor Mexico authorities have been able to stop the bloodshed and prevent the import of illegal drugs. The outdated drug polices of the United States have failed to successfully stop the usage of illegal substances among its citizens. Mexico is precariously close to being completely paralyzed by the almighty cartels who threaten to create a permanent criminal state. The US government needs to reevaluate its current drug polices and current out dated solution. The United States will not win the drug war. Mexico is a current state of turmoil and bloodshed between authorities and drug cartels. There have been thousands of lives lost over turf battles and control over the lucrative drug routes along the border. The threat is eminent that its only time before blood shed spills over to American Soil. Mexican cartels have shown to be as ruthless as any terrorist organization that currently exists today. The illegal drug trade has turned one time peasants into multi-millionaires. For instance Joaquin “ El Chapo” Guzman leader of the Sinaloa Cartel made Fortune magazine billionaire list .Mexican drug cartels have used traditional business models to increase profits, distribution and supply consumers like a legitimate...
Words: 1099 - Pages: 5
...Kristine Sizemore American Intercontinental University Unit 4 Individual Project HIST105 – U.S. History May 26, 2013 Abstract The Mexican-American War, it was a war where the United States cemented itself as a world super power; however, that came at a cost. This paper explores the ups and downs of the Mexican-American War. Mexican Cession: 1848 (Mexican-American War) The Mexican Cession in 1848 or better known as the Mexican-American War was a war where Mexico gave most of their land to America. It was a quest for James L Polk, the president at the time to expand the United States westward toward the Pacific Ocean. Mexico was forced to give approximately one-third of their land away when the United States captured Mexico City. They were given two choices: the first one being lose all of Mexico to the United States because the United States had a much stronger military than Mexico. The second choice being to surrender the part of their land to the United States that the United States wanted. After much deliberation and very heated debates between Mexico and the United States, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in 1848 to finally end the war. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, drafted by Nicholas Trist, stated that the United States was to pay Mexico a sum of $15 million in exchange for Mexican territory, that today are known as Texas, California, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Also, the United States had to assume...
Words: 849 - Pages: 4
...Happy 2nd Birthday to my lil man I love you carter I got big plans for you just wait daddy is still here idc what nobody says!!! Like · . SeQuoia Stewart, Justin Bagley and 36 others like this.. Shareace Davis That's really messed up wat she's doing 11 hours ago via mobile · Like. Tonya Richardson Unhappy Birthday to carter with love 11 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1. Alesha Vega That's right !!! And we ain't going nowhere !! 11 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1. Tonya Richardson I meant happy , lord I need to put on my glasses forgive me , he's loved no matter what those fools do , trust he's gonna know he's loved by u Justin 11 hours ago via mobile · Like · 2. Courtney Armani Make sure you tell lil man I said Happy Birthday from Uncle Court ^.^ 10 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1. Jesse Brisco happy birthday carter 10 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1. Toni Tonez Happy birthday Carter!! Hope to meet you one day lol :). 7 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1. Cj Johnson HBD .... lil man..lol 5 hours ago · Like · 1. 1. Happy 2nd Birthday to my lil man I love you carter I got big plans for you just wait daddy is still here idc what nobody says!!! ------------------------------------------------- Top of Form LikeUnlike · * SeQuoia Stewart, Justin Bagley and 36 others like this. * * * Shareace Davis That's really messed up wat she's doing 11 hours ago via mobile · LikeUnlike * Tonya Richardson...
Words: 379 - Pages: 2
...Mexico’s War of 1847 was fought for one main reason, for Texas. When Texas gained its independence in 1836, Mexico blames the United States for its loss. The land between the Sabine River and the Rio Grande was under dispute. The biggest problem was bringing slavery into this new land. Ulysses Grant stated “The southern rebellion was largely an outgrowth of the Mexican War”. The war was fought along 3 fronts, Monterrey, Buena Vista, and the beach south of Veracruz. The battle for Monterrey was a very costly struggle marked by bloody streets and a door-to-door struggle to secure the city. The Battle of Buena Vista was fought in a narrow pass between the mountain ranges south of the city of Saltillo. Most of Taylor’s men were volunteers who didn’t think they could win until Santa Anna withdrew his army in the safety of darkness. The third and final front required months of planning and carful coordination. General Scott led 9000 men on the beach in 5 hours without suffering a single casualty. After many close engagements, Scott occupied the Mexican capital in September 1847. After taking control of the Mexican capital the fighting came to an end. Mexico had several disadvantages going into the war. They had been independent only 25 years before the war started and had a long struggle to achieve social, economic, and political stability. The failure to establish a durable political arrangement was the main reason for being instable. The ill-assimilated Indians who inhabited the...
Words: 405 - Pages: 2
...On April 25, 1846 the Americans declared war after provoking Mexico to harm their soldiers. They have no shame in taking what is the Mexicans, especially by war. Mexico has not caused any harm as much as they have, they were provoked and tricked. They have no mercy and will not stop this war so Mexico has no choice but to fight and protect their land. This is all unfair and cruel to Mexico because they did nothing wrong, the Americans did this and the Mexicans had no choice but to defend and honor themselves. The Americans are the bad guys and they will stop at nothing so Mexico will stop at nothing as well, They will fight and fight until a winner is announced. They have no limits and will stop at nothing to take California from Mexico. Mexico...
Words: 559 - Pages: 3
...to the acts of violence against the Mexican government after being teased by Mexico through conflicts, which further created turmoil and provoked the initiation of the Mexican-American War. Although the leadership of President Polk over the United States was one reason Mexico had to provoke the war, in the end, the beliefs of Manifest Destiny, the Texas annexation, and the weakness of the Mexican government during this time period were some of the factors which led the United States to provoke the Mexican-American War. These factors are considerably important because they show how the United States was focused on Westward expansion seeking to claim the territories of...
Words: 800 - Pages: 4
